As Kent Peterson sagely points out, bicycles are neither floor wax nor dessert topping, but they really do get you places quicker than walking. Also, fenders and racks keep you dry and comfortable while carrying heavy things. And gears are nice to help get you up hills or when dragging something like a BOB Yak trailer long distances (as in 10 years ago when I “portaged” 50 pounds up PCH-1 from the Bay Area to Olympia). So yeah, bicycles are pretty amazing.

And I agree with Kent. I don’t personally care if you wear a helmet or not, or if you’re a Dane obsessed with proving a causal relationship between cyclists wearing helmets and traffic accidents. Do what you feel man, but please do get out and ride.

“It [the album] was completed in April of 2000. I made the album for myself, never expecting anyone beyond a few friends to hear it. The title is a description of what inspired it. I would take long drives on back roads to clear my head, and I couldn’t figure out what CD to play. This was before the convenience of mp3 players, and I just wanted an album that was effective in the background or foreground, allowing my attention to wander and return effortlessly. It worked for me, and it would please me a great deal if it happens to do the same for other listeners.”

Ben Benjamin - For Long Drives And Temporary Diversions

Ben Benjamin – For Long Drives And Temporary Diversions on Ghostly International, it does pique my interest.